CD review CRYTOSIS ‘Bionic Swarm’

Raider became Twix and now it’s Dutch thrash metal trio Distillator that undergoes such a change too and become Cryptosis. After two longplayer, an EP and a split release with Space Chaser, Distillator called it an end while the guys moved on a created with Cryptosis a new power outlet for their electrifying thrash metal.

With ‘Bionic Swarm’ the debut under the new moniker is waiting to be unleashed on March 26^th and what the guys release is uncompromising thrash metal with speed and tempo. Artwork and title of Cryptosis debut indicate a transformation towards the infinity of space. In a way, the thematic move towards sci-fi, also shows the transition of the trio from one band to another.

The first things that stands out right away is the sophisticated and more complex approach to thrash metal. Was it fierce old-school thrash metal as Distillator, it is now a more layered way to interpret thrash metal, also reflecting the concept of the album which is about a world where technology controls humans and humanity? Things became technical. What stays as a common denominator though is the power and eclectic take on creating electrifying metal, spiced up with fury and blackened death metal as an extra ingredient.

After a furious start with ‘Decypher’ and ‘Death Technology’, the more moderate paced ‘Prospect of Immortality’ shows the wider approach of the trio. While appreciating a good riff and raspy vocals, the song itself is varied and builds soundscapes with interesting twist being embedded. A short interlude called ‘Perpetual Motion’ is the bridge to ‘Conjuring the Egoist’, another furious metal attack. Also interesting is ‘Mindscape’. A sinister riff starts off the track, a vibe that acts as a baseline for the entire song which is rolling outer space metal beast.

Compared with the Raider/Twix name change I mentioned in the beginning, Cryptosis is more than merely a new moniker for an existing band. Laurens Houvast. Frank te Riet and Marco Prij gave their interpretation a new spin which unfolds hard and heavy on the debut. Be prepared for the ‘Bionic Swarm’.